Pyles Picks February Shows

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So much to do and so little time -- even with an extra day this month, you just can't do it all. Looking at the calendar, it's an overwhelming selection of choices. What to do, what to do? I'll highlight a few and the team here highlights others; maybe we talk about some of the same bands -- that just means it's a must-see. I've got a few for you, if you'd like to take a look:

Young the Giant, the Orange County band formerly know as the Jakes, come to town to play a sold-out show at Soma on Feb. 10. The name change has done them good, if you ask me. Their song "Cough Syrup" has been all over local radio.

Welsh band Los Campesinos! return to San Diego to play the Casbah Feb. 12. Last time they played here, it was at the San Diego Womans Club, which has a nice size stage. It will be interesting to see all seven of them on the Casbah stage.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour play the Belly Up on Feb. 13th. The Danish bands is best know for the infectious song "Around the Bend," which was also featured in an iPod touch commercial in 2008.

From Crouch End, England, come the Bombay Bicycle Club for a Valentine's Day show at the Casbah. "Massive," as they say in the UK. Seeing them at the legendary Casbah will be a show that is not to be missed.

Floridians Surfer Blood play Porter's Pub on the campus of UCSD on Feb. 21. The show is open to the general public, but students get in at a discounted rate. The venue has many local brews available to the adults in attendance.

Friend to the local music community and touring whirlwind Anya Marina plays the Casbah Feb. 22. All I can say is: Show the local girl some love. Follow Anya through her Huffington Post column, “Adventures of a Lady in Rock,” and say hello to her at the show.

One of my favorite new discoveries is the band Standing Shadows. They just played the Soda Bar (I missed it) but return to San Diego to play the Casbah Feb. 23. A mix of rock and cool synths, they have a stadium sound but get down and dirty. For fans of UNKLE and Queens of the Stone Age.

Cursive are back with a new record, I Am Gemini, that comes out Feb. 21. They play the Casbah several days later, so be sure to learn all the songs by Feb. 26

To finish it all off, your extra day of the month and year can be filled by one of these shows. If you don't know them, then look them up. I'm sure you've used the internet:

!!! at the Casbah Feb. 29

Cloud Nothings at the Soda Bar Feb. 29

The Kooks at the House of Blues Feb. 29

Tim Pyles hosts The Local 94/9, FTP show and the Coup d'Eat on FM94/9 on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. He also books local acts at the Casbah and hosts the weekly Anti-Monday League. Check out his website and follow him on Twitter @thelocalpyle. You can reach him directly here pyleste@yahoo.com